Game story
In Week 1 of the 2015 NFL season on 2015-09-13, the Buffalo Bills took care of business against the Indianapolis Colts, pulling away with a 27–14 final that built a comfortable lead.
The highest-scoring period was Q3 with 15 combined points — the stretch that most shaped the final margin.
A. Luck (Indianapolis Colts) paced the passing game, with +1.03 total EPA, and -7.1% completion percentage over expected.
On the individual side, T. Taylor (Buffalo Bills) delivered the top overall EPA impact at +9.65 — the clearest player-of-the-game signal on the analytics sheet.
The momentum swing (-88.0% win probability) landed in the second quarter when Indianapolis Colts changed the game: End of half - 2.30 pm
Line score
Final score and points by quarter.
| Q1 | Q2 | Q3 | Q4 | — | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Indianapolis Colts | 0 | 0 | 8 | 6 | 0 | 14 |
| Buffalo Bills | 7 | 10 | 7 | 3 | 0 | 27 |
Stars of the game
Top performers by total expected points added (EPA) across passing, rushing, and receiving.
- 1 T. Taylor · Buffalo Bills · Passing · +9.65 total EPA · 23 snaps · +0.42 EPA/play
- 2 P. Harvin · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +4.88 total EPA · 5 snaps · +0.98 EPA/play
- 3 D. Moncrief · Indianapolis Colts · Receiving · +4.03 total EPA · 11 snaps · +0.37 EPA/play
- 4 R. Woods · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +3.76 total EPA · 2 snaps · +1.88 EPA/play
- 5 P. Dorsett · Indianapolis Colts · Receiving · +3.35 total EPA · 3 snaps · +1.12 EPA/play
- 6 Ka. Williams · Buffalo Bills · Rushing · +3.31 total EPA · 6 snaps · +0.55 EPA/play
- 7 L. McCoy · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +2.93 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.73 EPA/play
- 8 C. Clay · Buffalo Bills · Receiving · +2.21 total EPA · 4 snaps · +0.55 EPA/play
Player of the game
FantasyHQ analytics player-of-the-game pick based on total EPA and signature plays.
T. Taylor — BUF · Passing
T. Taylor posted the highest total EPA (+9.65) in the game, making the biggest overall impact on Buffalo Bills's efficiency. Across 23 counted snaps, they averaged +0.42 EPA per play.
The signature play (+5.29 EPA) came from Buffalo Bills: (9:56) 6-C.Schmidt punts 48 yards to IND 24, Center-65-G.Sanborn. 15-P.Dorsett MUFFS catch, RECOVERED by BUF-58-R.Johnson at IND 26.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals
Every touchdown and field goal with the player named in official play-by-play.
Touchdowns
- Buffalo Bills — P. Harvin (T. Taylor pass)
- Buffalo Bills — unlisted player
- Buffalo Bills — A. Dixon
- Indianapolis Colts — D. Moncrief (A. Luck pass)
- Indianapolis Colts — D. Allen (A. Luck pass)
Field goals
- Buffalo Bills — D. Carpenter
- Buffalo Bills — D. Carpenter
How it unfolded, quarter by quarter
A quarter-by-quarter recap built from live scoring plays and play descriptions.
The opening quarter: Buffalo Bills won the period 7–0. Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the IND 51 (Q1 45:09) — (:09) 5-T.Taylor pass deep right to 18-P.Harvin for 51 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught at goal line.; Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the IND 15 (Q1 45:00) — 2-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-6-C.Schmidt..
The second quarter: Buffalo Bills won the period 10–0. Buffalo Bills connected on a field goal from the IND 23 (Q2 37:53) — (7:53) 2-D.Carpenter 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-6-C.Schmidt.; Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the IND 26 (Q2 30:26) — (:26) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 29-Ka.Williams up the middle for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN.; Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the IND 15 (Q2 30:20) — 2-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-6-C.Schmidt..
The third quarter: Indianapolis Colts won the period 8–7. Buffalo Bills found the end zone from the IND 1 (Q3 24:38) — (9:38) 26-A.Dixon right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN.; Buffalo Bills added 1 points from the IND 15 (Q3 24:34) — 2-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-6-C.Schmidt.; Indianapolis Colts found the end zone from the BUF 2 (Q3 15:57) — (:57) (Shotgun) 12-A.Luck pass short middle to 10-D.Moncrief for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught at goal line, crossing from right.; Indianapolis Colts registered a safety from the BUF 2 (Q3 15:54).
The fourth quarter: Indianapolis Colts won the period 6–3. Buffalo Bills connected on a field goal from the IND 27 (Q4 8:19) — (8:19) 2-D.Carpenter 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-6-C.Schmidt.; Indianapolis Colts found the end zone from the BUF 6 (Q4 6:00) — (6:00) 12-A.Luck pass short left to 83-D.Allen for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN [53-N.Bradham]. Caught at goal line, crossing from middle..
Turning points
Plays that moved win probability the most — the swings that decided the game.
- Indianapolis Colts (Q2) — End of half - 2.30 pm
- Buffalo Bills (Q1) — End of quarter - 1.50 pm
- Buffalo Bills (Q1 45:00) — 2-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-6-C.Schmidt.
- Buffalo Bills (Q1 45:09) — (:09) 5-T.Taylor pass deep right to 18-P.Harvin for 51 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught at goal line.
- Indianapolis Colts (Q1 48:17) — (3:17) (Shotgun) 12-A.Luck pass deep left to 13-T.Hilton to IND 40 for 30 yards (24-S.Gilmore). Caught at IND 40, crossing to middle.
Impact plays
Highest expected-points added snaps that flipped field position and scoring chances.
- Buffalo Bills (Q4 9:56) — (9:56) 6-C.Schmidt punts 48 yards to IND 24, Center-65-G.Sanborn. 15-P.Dorsett MUFFS catch, RECOVERED by BUF-58-R.Johnson at IND 26.
- Buffalo Bills (Q1 45:09) — (:09) 5-T.Taylor pass deep right to 18-P.Harvin for 51 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught at goal line.
- Buffalo Bills (Q2 30:26) — (:26) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 29-Ka.Williams up the middle for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN.
- Indianapolis Colts (Q3 15:57) — (:57) (Shotgun) 12-A.Luck pass short middle to 10-D.Moncrief for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught at goal line, crossing from right.
Quarterback report card
A.Luck led all passers in efficiency for Indianapolis Colts, setting the tone in the passing game according to FantasyHQ analytics.
- A.Luck (Indianapolis Colts) · 59 dropbacks · 44.1% completion · -7.1% CPOE · +0.02 EPA/play · +1.03 total EPA
- T.Taylor (Buffalo Bills) · 23 dropbacks · 60.9% completion · +5.2% CPOE · +0.42 EPA/play · +9.65 total EPA
Team stats comparison
Side-by-side offensive and defensive efficiency from FantasyHQ analytics.
| Stat | Indianapolis Colts | Buffalo Bills |
|---|---|---|
| Offensive EPA/play | -0.040 | +0.119 |
| Offensive success rate | 41.1% | 38.2% |
| Pass EPA/play | +0.017 | +0.420 |
| Rush EPA/play | -0.021 | -0.156 |
| Defensive EPA/play | -0.119 | +0.040 |
| Defensive success rate | 61.8% | 58.9% |
By the numbers
Buffalo Bills held the efficiency edge in offensive EPA per play (+0.12 vs -0.04), even if the scoreboard told a different story.
- Buffalo Bills: 11 drives, +9.04 total EPA, 5 scoring drives
- Indianapolis Colts: 10 drives, -3.56 total EPA, 2 scoring drives
Key takeaways
What to remember for fantasy research, film review, and follow-up box score digging.
- Buffalo Bills leaves with the win and the better postgame narrative for Week-to-week momentum.
- T. Taylor (Buffalo Bills) is the first name to pull up for highlight reels and prop-retrospective research.
- A. Luck (IND) finished below expected efficiency — volume may have masked accuracy issues.
- T. Taylor (BUF) beat expectation through the air — positive CPOE game for stack builds.
Every scoring play
Chronological scoring with field position and full play-by-play context.
- Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q1 45:09 · IND 51 · Score 0-6
(:09) 5-T.Taylor pass deep right to 18-P.Harvin for 51 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught at goal line. - Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q1 45:00 · IND 15 · Score 0-7
2-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-6-C.Schmidt. - Buffalo Bills FG (+3) — Q2 37:53 · IND 23 · Score 0-10
(7:53) 2-D.Carpenter 41 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-6-C.Schmidt. - Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q2 30:26 · IND 26 · Score 0-16
(:26) (No Huddle, Shotgun) 29-Ka.Williams up the middle for 26 yards, TOUCHDOWN. - Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q2 30:20 · IND 15 · Score 0-17
2-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-6-C.Schmidt. - Buffalo Bills TD (+6) — Q3 24:38 · IND 1 · Score 0-23
(9:38) 26-A.Dixon right guard for 1 yard, TOUCHDOWN. - Buffalo Bills XP (+1) — Q3 24:34 · IND 15 · Score 0-24
2-D.Carpenter extra point is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-6-C.Schmidt. - Indianapolis Colts TD (+6) — Q3 15:57 · BUF 2 · Score 6-24
(:57) (Shotgun) 12-A.Luck pass short middle to 10-D.Moncrief for 2 yards, TOUCHDOWN. Caught at goal line, crossing from right. - Indianapolis Colts Safety (+2) — Q3 15:54 · BUF 2 · Score 8-24
(Pass formation) TWO-POINT CONVERSION ATTEMPT. 12-A.Luck pass to 80-C.Fleener is complete. ATTEMPT SUCCEEDS. Caught over middle at goal line. - Buffalo Bills FG (+3) — Q4 8:19 · IND 27 · Score 8-27
(8:19) 2-D.Carpenter 45 yard field goal is GOOD, Center-65-G.Sanborn, Holder-6-C.Schmidt. - Indianapolis Colts TD (+6) — Q4 6:00 · BUF 6 · Score 14-27
(6:00) 12-A.Luck pass short left to 83-D.Allen for 6 yards, TOUCHDOWN [53-N.Bradham]. Caught at goal line, crossing from middle.
Frequently asked questions
Who won Indianapolis Colts vs Buffalo Bills?
The Buffalo Bills beat the Indianapolis Colts 27-14 in Week 1, 2015 on 2015-09-13.
What was the final score of Indianapolis Colts vs Buffalo Bills?
The final score was Indianapolis Colts 14, Buffalo Bills 27 (IND 14-27 BUF) in Week 1, 2015 on 2015-09-13.
What was the score by quarter in Indianapolis Colts vs Buffalo Bills?
Q1: Indianapolis Colts 0, Buffalo Bills 7; Q2: Indianapolis Colts 0, Buffalo Bills 10; Q3: Indianapolis Colts 8, Buffalo Bills 7; Q4: Indianapolis Colts 6, Buffalo Bills 3; Final: Indianapolis Colts 14, Buffalo Bills 27.
Who scored touchdowns and field goals in Indianapolis Colts vs Buffalo Bills?
Buffalo Bills touchdown — P. Harvin (T. Taylor pass) (Q1 45:09) Buffalo Bills touchdown — unlisted player (Q2 30:26) Buffalo Bills touchdown — A. Dixon (Q3 24:38) Indianapolis Colts touchdown — D. Moncrief (A. Luck pass) (Q3 15:57) Indianapolis Colts touchdown — D. Allen (A. Luck pass) (Q4 6:00) Buffalo Bills field goal — D. Carpenter (Q2 37:53, 3 pts) Buffalo Bills field goal — D. Carpenter (Q4 8:19, 3 pts) Extra points followed each touchdown unless noted in the play-by-play.
How did the quarterbacks play in Indianapolis Colts vs Buffalo Bills?
A. Luck (Indianapolis Colts), 44.1% completion, -7.1% CPOE, +0.02 EPA per dropback, +1.03 total passing EPA. T. Taylor (Buffalo Bills), 60.9% completion, +5.2% CPOE, +0.42 EPA per dropback, +9.65 total passing EPA.
Who was the most impactful player in Indianapolis Colts vs Buffalo Bills?
T. Taylor (Buffalo Bills) led the game in total EPA with +9.65 on passing plays. across 23 snaps. The top single-play swing was (+5.29 EPA): (9:56) 6-C.Schmidt punts 48 yards to IND 24, Center-65-G.Sanborn. 15-P.Dorsett MUFFS catch, RECOVERED by BUF-58-R.Johnson at IND 26.. The biggest win-probability swing was -88.0%.
Season records after this game
Indianapolis Colts
Now 0-1 L
Buffalo Bills
Now 1-0 W
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